Thursday, April 05, 2007

Vail passes on sale

Got a Vail pass? You can renew now for next season. Want one? They'll go on sale next Friday (yes, Friday the 13th). Don't think about it too long; prices are guaranteed only till May 6.

We're talking about The Colorado Pass ($199-$419) and The Buddy Pass ($189-$379) - and the new Colorado Pass PLUS ($239-$519). If you're new to the game, these passes get you onto the slopes at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin.

Where can you buy them? The only place listed in Colorado Springs is Colorado Ski and Golf. If you're on the road, check out Boulder Ski Deals in Boulder, Colorado Ski and Golf in Aurora, Arvada or Littleton, and REI in Denver and Fort Collins.

When can you buy them? Store hours Friday to Sunday through May 6 (remember: renewing now and buying anew beginning April 13).

The Colorado Pass offers unlimited access at Breckenridge, Keystone and A-Basin and 10 days at Vail and Beaver Creek (with some restrictions). The Colorado Pass is $419, $319 ages 13-18 and $199 ages 5-12. That's the same price as '06-'07.

Buy The Colorado Pass / Pass PLUS by May 6 and you also get 4 unrestricted tickets good at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Arapahoe Basin to be used by the passholder or given to family and friends. You also get unlimited access at Vail and Beaver Creek next April; a 1-year subscription to Skiing Magazine; enrollment in The Colorado Pass Club (rewards include deals, freebies, events, discounts).

What'll be new?Vail will replace the Highline (#10) and Sourdough (#14) lifts with high-speed quad chairs and improve the Golden Peak Children’s Center.

Beaver Creekwill unveil a new gondola and new children’s ski and snowboard school. The 8-passenger gondola will replace the Haymeadow Lift (#1). Also, Trappers Cabin will convert from a private retreat to a public, fine-dining restaurant on the mountain.

Keystone’s KAT Ski Experience will include a new yurt, and there'll be a new lift and lanes at Adventure Point Tube Hill.

Arapahoe Basinwill expand its lift-accessible terrain by 80% with a new lift in Montezuma Bowl. The Zuma Lift will add 400 acres and 34 runs on intermediate and advanced terrain.